In live view mode, auto focus on the 80-400mm 4.5-5.6 VR Nikkor lens (VR-off and locked down on Gitzo 3541XLS) fails to focus in the zoom range of 200+-400mm. Oddly, the auto focus rectangle is green indicating it has locked focus, but the image is obviously very blurry, even when pointed at a LensAlign target. The range from 80 to 200 mm focuses just fine in live view. The 80-400mm auto focuses fine over the whole range of 80 to 400mm through the viewfinder so the lens is working correctly. The live view focus problem also happens outside where there is plenty of light, so this is not an inside lighting problem.

My 80-200mm f2.8 Nikkor auto focuses in live view just fine over its entire range. In a spot test at the zoom range limits only, the following Nikkors also work: the 18-200mm AFS VRII G DX, the 28-200mm f3.5-5.6G, the AFS 24-85mm f3.5-4.5G, and the 50mm f1.8D.

A problem similar to the 80-400mm reported above is observed with the Sigma 10-20mm. It does not focus with live view over any of its range. Unlike the 80-400mm problem which amazingly shows a green rectangle and a blurry image, live view displays a flashing red rectangle (indicating failure) when the Sigma 10-20mm is focused. The Sigma 10-20mm focuses sharply when focused through the viewfinder so there is no problem with the lens.

cj3 said:
UPDATE: I got the camera back yesterday from Nikon Repair Center. Initial test shows the same issue. My 18-200 still needs a -5 adjustment. the 50 1.4 looks better, only needing about -10, not more than -20 as before. I still have to do a thorough test this weekend and decide by Sunday if this goes back. Weird that Live View focuses TACK SHARP! And according to the manual, Live View doesn't use the AF Tuning function. I wonder if this will be fixed by future firmware update. BTW, I also found one blue hot pixel.

My serial number is 31xx.

UPDATE: I decided to retest the back focus issue using another type of test - not the 45 degree angle test - and my D7000 seems to be focusing fine, not needing any fine tuning. I stopped pixel peeping and started taking pictures and after getting used to new AF system, I can say that my D7000 is performing well. Have done some family portraits, group pictures, sports photography, etc. It's all good!

Is auto focus for AF lenses in live view supported? Does live view autofocus only support AF-S lenses? How do you interpret this paragraph from the D7000 manual (in box on p 51)?

"D Using Autofocus in Live View Use an AF-S Lens. The desired results may not be achieved with other lenses or teleconverters. Note that in live view, autofocus is slower and the monitor may brighten or darken while the camera focuses. The focus point may sometimes be displayed in green when the camera is unable to focus."

Does this mean that the 50mm 1.8 does not autofocus in live view... And therefore not in movie mode? Why doesn't Nikon tell us which lenses autofocus in live view? Are those of us with AF-D pro lenses unable to autofocus in live view?

Hi guys!
I have this autofocus issue, exactly the same as the one that many others already described before me: camera suddenly stops to autofocus, and the AF-area icon in the camera's control panel show the single dot. This issue happens few times a day. Nothing helps, only removing the lens and reseting it back again. Have tested with 10-24 and 55-200. Both lens are new, and works perfectly with my old D70.

So did anyone get the answer from Nikon support already - WTF is that thing?

"Hot pixels issue" will be solved by firmware update, yes, cool, but, problems with autofocus seems to be on hardware side, if so, this is far worse that bunch of bright pixels...

I had to return my D7000 with the AF problem with the first one then with my second one I also have the same issue. My D7000 in the dark seem like the AF is Not stop working like I press the shutter half-way all the time. The AF assist light keep working by itself and with some focus noise. Also I have a problem when I tried to look at the picture I took. The picture did not show up because the camera did not stop working also like when I press the shutter half-way. I have Nikon D60 that never have this issue. Is it normal for D7000 to have this issue since this is my second D7000 from Bestbuy that do the same thing. Maybe I need to set up something anyone??

***Update to my post 3 weeks ago*** My Nikon D7000 had been affected by the intermittent autofocus issue, where autofocus stops working periodically. I sent my camera to Nikon repair in Melville, NY, and received it back two weeks later (one week of which my camera was apparently missing in action somewhere in the repair facility - Nikon needed to track down the person who signed for it in order to locate it). Nikon claims to have repaired the issue, but not 100 photos after receiving it the same issue occurred again. And then yet again not 20 photos later. Very, very disappointed at Nikon's failure to properly diagnose and repair this issue, or at the least offer a replacement. At this point I need the camera for the holidays, but it will be going back to Nikon again next week with a request the camera be replaced with a new unit not "repaired".

looks like i'm having a problem. at fast shutter speeds, i'm getting a lock up. it's like the mirror/shutter flips up but it doesnt complete the cycle. it happens randomly but quite frequently especially above 1/800. when this happens, i get an Err at the top LCD and I have to press the shutter button again to bring it back to it's original position so that i can snap again.

Your manual focus lenses don't auto focus with the D7000? I'm having the same problem! I was trying to take 12 hour exposures of the inside of my lens cap and my 50mm Ai-s lens would not auto focus with the D7000! We should start an online petition and demand that Nikon fix this problem. What an outrage!

Super Shooter said:
Your manual focus lenses don't auto focus with the D7000? I'm having the same problem! I was trying to take 12 hour exposures of the inside of my lens cap and my 50mm Ai-s lens would not auto focus with the D7000! We should start an online petition and demand that Nikon fix this problem. What an outrage!

I have a similar problem with my D700 and the 24-70mm, once in a while, the AF won't kick-in and I have to twist the lens a bit to get it back. I can be weeks without experiencing this and suddenly I get it all the time, just to disappear again.

I got my d7000 four days ago, It takes beautiful pictures on good lighting. I noted the autofocusing problem with the 18-105mm kit lens, 18-200mm VR II and a 50mm 1.8, the autofocus assist light does not come on, the lens just moves back and forth without resolving the focusing. I tried to twist it as some of you have, it does not work for me. My serial number starts with 3052. I am able to manual focus it or if I use a flash, the camera then focuses correctly.

I'm having trouble with the autofocus on two of my favorite lenses. The 35 1.8 is off but it was not much of an issue. I dialed in AF fine tune correcting and that problem was fixed.

On my Tamron 17-50 things are a bit more sinister because the AF compensation seems to be focal-length dependent. I've had better luck with it in AF-C than AF-S for some reason, so I'll be okay but it is annoying.

I notice that the Tamron 17-50 I just bought has the autofocus issue in Liveview as a few have brought up. Same issue? Tamron said they have had the issue reported to them a "few times." There are a few misaligned pins that they will adjust for your D7000 if you send it in to them. They have a D7000 in their shop to test their glass out on. I am considering it although it's keeping me from using LV which I am trying to get away from anyway.

No prob Jonny. I simply went on Tamron's site and called the number they list. A local/toll free. I don't know if Admin allows numbers to be posted. I know not to put links, so sorry in advance Admin. Tamron Phone: 631.858.8400 | Toll Free: 1-800-827-8880

Thank you! I check this site as much as my email even before I got my D7K. I'm addicted and always learning.

Well it would seem that tamron lens are giving trouble with the D7K, so the problem would be the lens not the camera.

Why would you spend $1500 on a camera and then put cheap 3rd party lens on the camera?

And then complain its not working ?

Better off buying a D3100 and some good lenses.

People having problems with autofocusing should spend time studying page 269 of the manual, and spend time STUDYING the parts of the manual that has to do with AF. It is and advanced camera and if you disregard Nikons recommendations then why complain.

If your camera would not focus in live view but works through the viewfinder, and the manual says to use AF-S only for live view..............well duh...what do you expect.

And not because your D60 worked with this lens in this way, should you expect it to work the same with the D7000.

Its dark and your camera would not focus.....huh? how far away are you, can the auto focus light reach the subject to light it enough? the range of the light is 0.5 - 3.0m that is a max of 9ft 10 ins.........sigh

read page 93 on getting good results with auto focus.

buying the most expensive camera means that you have to study more, work harder to get the most out of the camera, its designed that way so you can be more creative, otherwise get a point and shoot.

Casper, you can insult me and I won't be offended, but please don't insult my workhorse lens. I have used the 17-55 2.8 nikkor and I prefer the tamron. It is half the weight and has identical image quality. I don't know how to convince you I'm not saying sour grapes but maybe you'll just have to take my word for it.

This same lens gave me zero problems on my D300 and D90, so please spare me the lectures about third party lenses. It's the camera. I think I was pretty clear in stating that I was also having trouble with the 35 1.8 nikkor. It actually required more adjustment than the tamron.

I have read all three manuals through cover to cover and I understand the autofocus system, but I realize some of your comments are not directed at me.

Thanks for the help, Bass. I'm not doing myself credit asking for a phone number I can get off their website, am I?

I also have a tamron from way back. A 35 - 70 that I picked up for a steal and used on my F3, still have it and its not as good as yours, an adaptall, so I may be just as guilty. Confession is good for the soul.

I get the impression from posts that some people do not take time to read the manual.

I was being harsh and should not have been, sorry we are not close, would have been nice to buy you a beer, I have learned my lesson, will stay off the coffee and try to be nice.

Casper, I probably should have put some smileys in there so you knew I wasn't angry. I knew you weren't attacking me. Your offer is very kind and "sorry we are not close" had me laughing out loud. Even though my user role makes me look like a mod or a spy parody, I'm really just an average forum citizen like anyone else (except Niko and Adamz etc.) so no need to get cozy, either. I can't ban you.